Pietersen evokes memories of Sir Viv
A feast of reports from yesterday’s papers for you this morning, with Kevin Pietersen and Sajid Mahmood deservedly (and understandably) grabbing the headlines
Will
25-Feb-2013
A feast of reports from yesterday’s papers for you this morning, with Kevin Pietersen and Sajid Mahmood deservedly (and understandably) grabbing the headlines. The Times have a wonderful snippet section (see here) with some hidden gems of yesterday’s play, including the revelation that Richie Benaud – now a refugee of the commentary box; he refuses to work for subscription-based TV companies – enjoyed a glass of wine in the Coronation Garden with friends. The first time for eons.
"He is big and brash and as subtle as colonic irrigation," writes Rick Broadbent of Pietersen in The Times where he also compares him to Pele.
Simon Hughes is full of praise for Mahmood, whose three wickets shocked Sri Lanka yesterday.
He looks more rhythmic and confident now, and his success here further questions Sri Lanka's decision to leave out their one surprise package, Lasith Malinga.
For all his audacious strokeplay, it is Pietersen’s defence which marks him out as a potential great, writes Steve James in The Guardian.
Bowlers talk of his sometimes unexpectedly blocking a whole over, as if just to take a break from his coruscating strokeplay. Ah, to be that good. Pietersen is not yet so, but the quality of his defence had first become evident at this ground last summer. Remember that first Test against Australia when Glenn McGrath was wreaking havoc from the Pavilion End with his off-cutters darting down the slope? Most of the England batsmen could scarcely lay a bat on him, but as soon as Pietersen entered the fray it almost appeared as if an altogether different game was taking place.
And James even goes as far to compare him with the great Sir Vivian Richards